Comic Riffs: October 26, 2008 - November 1, 2008

Networks have long taken flak for calling elections early, but what are newspaper editors to do when a cartoonist "calls" an election several days in advance? That's the controversial question raised by next Wednesday's "Doonesbury," which Pulitzer-winning creator Garry Trudeau...

As TV's campaign pundits chirp like nocturnal birds of prey, the buzzwords can begin to blend together. Listen too long, and it all becomes its own nonsensical night-song. Honestly, bend an ear and you will nearly hear: "Spread-the-wealth-when-rogue-diva-field-dresses-Karl-Marx-then-international-crisis-but-media-in-the-tank-for-Joe-the-Plumber! ... You-betcha!"...

Time once again for the Riffy Awards, which this week hew to a Halloween theme. And hands down, there is one comic prospect that frightens us right down to our double-wool socks: Namely, the thought of being cornered at a...

To the notion of election commentary by civilians, some highfalutin pundits would tell you: "Don't try this at home. Leave it to the professionals, thankyouverymuch." To which we would politely reply: Pshaw. Poppycock. And cork your piehole. Comic Riffs takes...

Woe unto Dennis and Jeffy, a coupla down-on-their-luck dreamers who prove that today, the true visionaries live in single-panel land. The boy with the V-chip on his shoulder. (KFSEnlarge Comic There's "Dennis the Menace's" lovable titular scamp, declaring his vision...

As the real-life presidential election dwindles to less than a week away, so, too, do the cartoon candidacies. Since Friday, you the Comic Riffs Voter have narrowed the field of contenders for the top job -- namely, the comic creations...

Puns to the left of me, double-entendres to the right. Or, as Shakespeare might have quipped: "Get thee to a punnery!" Mucking through today's funnypages is sticky stuff, indeed -- even for the comics, the wordplay is thick on the...

Stumped for Halloween? For many grownups, the "what to go as?" question is particularly vexing this year. Sarah Palin and Barack Obama both seem way played-out as costume ideas, as does dressing as "the Economy." So as a reader service,...

Some comic strips, like great music, have soul. And then there is Garfield. Does anybody really know what time it is? (UPS) Enlarge Comic "Garfield" is the huge bubblegum pop hit that is catchy, that understandably appeals to kids --...

Economy got you down? Bills aplenty and stocks a-crashed have you considering that second -- or third -- job? Then it just might be time for you to consider an exciting new career as a Professional Gag Writer. Sound daunting?...